10 Everyday Emergencies You Need to Know How to Manage

What to do when you get a burn or cut while cooking

“The first thing to do with a burn injury is to immediately flush it with water and apply an antibacterial ointment,” says Jerisa Johnson Berry, DO, who is board-certified in emergency medicine and works in several Florida hospitals. “Although it may hurt, it’s crucial to rinse the injury immediately, apply ointment, and cover.” If it’s more than a minor burn, call your doctor to assess. (Try these home remedies for minor burns.) If you cut yourself accidentally and the cut is deep, it’s important to visit your doctor or emergency room within 12 hours of the injury. Don’t wait any longer as waiting may cause inadequate wound healing and raise infection risk. “I had a patient wait over 24 hours to come in to the ER for large laceration and this delay prevents us from treating the wound optimally,” Dr. Berry says.

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